Abstract: A casket having a body and a lid hinged to the body along a hinged edge, and an unhinged edge opposite the hinged edge, includes a wedge bar locking mechanism for locking the lid to the body in a closed position. The locking mechanism includes a wedge bar installed within a cavity of the casket body flange which extends along the unhinged edge, the wedge bar interacting with pull-down studs which are mounted on a flange of the lid and which extend into the cavity upon closing the lid via a plurality of openings in the body flange. The wedge bar is supported vertically by a plurality of hangers which reside within the openings in the body flange. Each hanger includes a radial flange and a cylindrical sleeve depending therefrom. The sleeve has two diametrically opposite vertical slots which receive the wedge bar and permit the wedge bar to move along its longitudinal axis for locking and unlocking the mechanism. The slots terminate at their lower ends at support surfaces on which the wedge bar rests.

Abstract: A lock of the catch type adapted to use in combination with a casket is disclosed. The lock includes a locking pin and a receiving element. The locking pin in installed on the lid of the casket and has a portion configured so to enable it to engage and remain engaged, when so desired, in the receiving element of the lock. The receiving element is installed in one of the side walls of the casket so that it is directly opposite to the locking pin. The receiving element comprises a hollow cylinder case adapted to be inserted and rotate with respect to a sleeve. The hollow cylinder case and the sleeve each comprises an opening for receiving the corresponding portion of the locking pin. The receiving element further including a compressible O-ring for enabling the hollow cylinder case to be inwardly biased against the sleeve during locking and unlocking of the lock.

Abstract: A lock of the catch type adapted to use in combination with a casket is disclosed. The lock includes a locking pin and a receiving element. The locking pin in installed on the lid of the casket and has a portion configured so to enable it to engage and remain engaged, when so desired, in the receiving element of the lock. The receiving element is installed in one of the side walls of the casket so that it is directly opposite to the locking pin. The receiving element comprises a hollow cylinder case adapted to be inserted and rotate with respect to a sleeve. The hollow cylinder case and the sleeve each comprises an opening for receiving the corresponding portion of the locking pin. The receiving element further including a compressible O-ring for enabling the hollow cylinder case to be inwardly biased against the sleeve during locking and unlocking of the lock.

Abstract: A latch mechanism (10) for burial or cremation caskets (12) includes a stud (22) which is press-fit in the lower edge (18) of the casket lid (16), and a latch plate (24) which resides within a transverse recess (40) in an upstanding wall (20) of the casket shell (14). The latch plate includes an elongated keyhole-shaped slot (44) which is accessible to the stud via a vertical hole (46) in the upper edge (21) of the shell wall. The slot has a wide portion (48) which allows the stud to pass through the latch plate, and a narrow portion (50) which is narrower than the distal end (52) of the stud. The stud includes a necked-down portion (54) which is narrower than the narrow portion of the slot. The latch plate is slidable within the recess from a first position in which the stud resides within the wide portion of the slot to a second position in which the necked-down portion of the stud resides within the narrow portion of the slot.

Abstract: A sheet metal casket comprises a pair of side panels, a pair of end panels, a rounded corner between adjacent ends of the adjacent side and end panels, at least one rounded corner having a flat formed thereon, the flat having a hole formed therethrough, and a tube positioned in the hole and crimped in place.

Abstract: A casket having a quickly interchangeable and adjustable interior comprises a casket shell, an elongated fastening device having first and second portions, the first portion being secured to the casket shell, and decorative fabric secured to the second portion of the fastening device. One of the first and second fastening device portions includes a longitudinally continuous female fastening element and the other of the first and second fastening device portions includes a longitudinally continuous male fastening element receivable in the female fastening element. The male and female fastening elements are relatively slideably moveable longitudinally when engaged and are fabricated from resilient material. The fastening device allows quick installation and removal of the decorative fabric by resilient engagement of the fastening elements and provides longitudinal adjustment of the decorative fabric relative to the casket shell by slideably moving the fastening elements longitudinally relative one another.

Abstract: A sealing device of a cinerary urn includes a sealing strip and a photo frame. The sealing strip is a flexible thin strip having a length at least equal to the circumference of the cinerary urn for firmly adhering onto the junction of the cover and the body of the cinerary urn. A central portion of the sealing strip forms a receiving groove at its lower edge. Two inner corners of the receiving groove form a right and a left short slit respectively and thus defines a right holding lip and a left holding lip respectively.

Abstract: A receptacle adapted to contain ashes, such as human or animal ashes, and intended to be at least partially embedded in earth. The receptacle has a compartment for enclosing ashes, the compartment having an aperture for receiving the ashes. The receptacle also has a closure means for sealing the aperture and support means capable of supporting the receptacle in a vertical position in the earth. The receptacle is relocatable.

Abstract: A recessed light fixture for a burial casket that provides a source of illumination to light decorative art work installed in the lid; at the same time it provides softly diffused light for a more pleasing illumination of the interior of the casket. The unit fits inside the concave area of the lid of the standard burial casket and requires no design changes. It is constructed of light weight rigid insulation. The housing is described in two forms; a modular unit with alternate methods of joining the walls; novel corner fittings (24), (26), (28) (30) and brackets (20) (22) attached by clips (32); self retaining "single half-blind dovetail" joints (76) or adhesive surfaces (74). It is also described as a single molded unit (78) formed of insulating material. The fixture has a powered light source (36), a reflector (84) and integral reflective surfaces (82).

Abstract: Locking mechanism for burial caskets in which a rod extending into the outer wall of the casket shell rotates a latch having a hook-like arm extending above the upper edge of the casket shell and provided with a cam surface which engages a keeper member on a matching edge of the casket cap to pull the cap tightly against the shell.

Abstract: A combination burial vault and casket and funeral and burial method or system using the same in a funeral and burial service. An interiorly decorated "surround" or false casket frame having a hinged top is disposed over the base of the vault and cooperates with the interiorly decorated base of the burial vault to provide a casket during visitation at the funeral home. Carrying handle structures are provided for carrying either the assembled base and the surround or false casket or the assembled base and cover of the vault, with the remains of the deceased therein, to the cemetary after the visitation and funeral services at the funeral home.In one practice of the invention, when the base and cover of the vault are assembled at the close of services at the funeral home, the surround or false casket with the carrying handle structures thereon is retained at the funeral home for reuse.